STURGIS – Facing a pair of Class “AA” basketball teams on the road last week, the Hot Springs Bison boys improved to 12-3 on the season following 58-55 win over Douglas on Tuesday and then a 66-46 win over Sturgis on Friday.
“Overall, I thought our guys played well in both games this week,” said Hot Springs head coach Aaron Noteboom. “Against Douglas, we came out and took control early but couldn’t seem to put them away. Credit to Douglas, they played hard the entire game and every time we made a run it seemed like they had an answer for it. In the end we were able to make enough plays to close out the game and get a hard fought conference win on the road.”
Four Bison eclipsed doubledigit scoring, led by senior Josh Kleinsasser with 18 points who was 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Fellow senior Camron Maciejewski scored 15 followed by junior Aidyn Janis with 11 points along with seven rebounds. Senior Matt Close added 10 points and seven assist. Braden Peterson scored four and grabbed seven boards.
“In our game against Sturgis, I thought we did a better job on the defensive end and rebounded much better as well,” Coach Noteboom said.
Hot Springs led throughout and were up 16-13 at the end of one, 31-21 at halftime and 48-36 before cruising to the 20-point victory.
“Anytime you play against the ‘AA’ schools in the conference, it is going to be a challenge,” Coach Noteboom said. “They always have a few big athletic kids and are much better basketball teams than their records would indicate due to their strength of schedule.”
Kleinsasser again led the way in scoring with 22 points, followed by Close with 16 points and nine assists, Maciejewski with 11 points and seven rebounds, Janis with nine points and five boards and Peterson with seven points and three steals.
“We had many great contributions in these two games but I felt Matt Close played some of his best basketball of the season,” Noteboom added. “He is a special player who does so many things for us on both ends of the floor and doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. This is a very balanced basketball team with five players averaging double figures but without Matt on the floor it would not be possible. He is the engine that runs this team and I was very proud of him for how he played this week.”
After a run of eight straight games on the road, dating all the way back to Jan. 12, the Bison boys were finally at home this past Tuesday night when they hosted St. Thomas More (13-4). On Thursday, they travel to Red Cloud (8-10) and this Saturday, they host Custer (11-6).